this protection is extended to the church as blessed john paul ii pointed out. just as st. joseph will take care of mary and dedicated himself to jesus christ's suffering. likewise he watches over his body of the church of which the virgin mary is an example and a model. how does joseph exercise his role as a protector? discreetly, humbly, in silence. with his healing presence and complete fidelity even when he finds it hard to understand. mary until 12-year-old jesus in the temple of jerusalem found he is there with loving care next to mary his wife in good times and bad times through the journey through the senses and in the exodus and joyful hours is a frantic search for the child in the temple. later in the light in their home in nazareth in the workshop where he taught his trade to jesus. how does joseph respond as protector of mary protector of the church by being constantly attentive to god, open to the signs and receptive to god's plans not just to his own. this is what god asks of david as we heard in the first reading god does not want built by land but he wants f